From Shutdown to Comeback: The Long Road of ABS-CBN Before Its Historic Return to Free TV via ALLTV

On January 2, 2026, a symbol of Philippine broadcast history will flicker back to life: ABS-CBN programming will once again air on free television over Channel 2—this time not under its own license, but through a landmark licensing agreement with Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS), the operator of ALLTV.

But this moment did not come easily. It is the culmination of five years of legal battles, strategic pivots, public outcry, and relentless adaptation—a saga that reshaped Philippine media, politics, and the very meaning of press freedom.

The Fall: May 5, 2020 — When the Lights Went Out

The story begins not with a contract, but with a sudden, unprecedented shutdown.

On May 5, 2020, in the middle of a pandemic lockdown, ABS-CBN was forced off the air after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a Cease and Desist Order. The reason? Its 25-year congressional franchise had expired the day before, and despite applying for renewal 10 years early (in 2014), Congress had failed to act.

Overnight:

Channel 2 (free TV) and DWWX (radio) went silent.
Over 11,000 employees faced uncertainty.
Millions of viewers—especially the poor who relied on free TV—lost access to news, entertainment, and emergency broadcasts.

The shutdown wasn’t just technical—it was deeply political. Weeks before, then-President Rodrigo Duterte had publicly vowed to block ABS-CBN’s renewal, citing alleged bias and unpaid taxes (later cleared by the Bureau of Internal Revenue). The House of Representatives, dominated by administration allies, delayed hearings for years, then fast-tracked rejection in 2020.

On July 10, 2020, the House voted 70–11 to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise.

For the first time since Martial Law, the country’s largest broadcast network was legally barred from operating its own TV and radio stations.

Survival Mode: How ABS-CBN Fought to Stay Alive

Refusing to disappear, ABS-CBN launched a multi-front survival strategy:

1. Digital Pivot: iWantTFC & Online Streaming

Expanded its iWantTFC platform globally, offering Kapamilya content to OFWs and international audiences.
Launched Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube and Facebook—streaming TV Patrol, teleseryes, and shows for free.
Built a digital-first identity, amassing millions of online followers.

2. Block-Time Agreements: Borrowing Airwaves

Since it couldn’t broadcast on its own frequency, ABS-CBN leased airtime from other networks:

A2Z Channel 11 (via ZOE Broadcasting): Aired Kapamilya shows from 2020–2025.
Prime TV (under Philippine Collective Media Corp): Carried some entertainment content.
GMA’s regional stations: Brief partnership for news exchange during disasters.

These deals kept Kapamilya content visible—but never on Channel 2, the frequency synonymous with ABS-CBN since 1953.

3. Content Licensing & Global Expansion

Sold shows to Netflix, Viu, and other international streamers.
Produced content for foreign markets, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Focused on film, music, and talent management through Star Magic and Star Cinema.

4. Corporate Restructuring

Cut over 3,000 jobs in 2020 amid massive losses.
Shifted from “broadcast network” to “content and entertainment company.”
Sold non-core assets, including its Quezon City broadcast complex (though later leased back).

The Symbolism of Channel 2

For Filipinos, Channel 2 was never just a frequency—it was where families gathered, where TV Patrol delivered truth, where “Umagang Kay Ganda” greeted mornings, and where “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” became a national obsession.

After 2020, AMBS (owned by Udenna Corp, led by Dennis Uy) acquired the rights to operate on VHF Channel 2 and launched ALLTV in 2022—airing mostly replays, movies, and limited original content. Ratings remained modest.

Rumors swirled for years: Will ABS-CBN return to Channel 2? But legal caution, political sensitivities, and franchise trauma made a direct partnership seem unlikely—until now.

The Breakthrough: Licensing, Not Franchise

The January 2, 2026 deal is not a franchise revival. Instead, it’s a content licensing agreement:

ABS-CBN produces and owns all programming.
AMBS/ALLTV broadcasts it on its licensed frequency.
ABS-CBN does not operate the station—legally sidestepping the need for a new franchise.

This model mirrors global practices (e.g., Warner Bros. licensing content to independent networks) and exploits a legal gray area: as long as ABS-CBN isn’t “broadcasting,” it’s not violating the 2020 shutdown order.

Critics call it a workaround. Supporters call it genius resilience.

Why Now? The Political Thaw

The timing is no accident:

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a neutral stance on ABS-CBN, unlike his predecessor.
Congress is less hostile, with new lawmakers open to media freedom.
Public sentiment has overwhelmingly favored ABS-CBN’s return—polls consistently show 70%+ support.

Moreover, AMBS benefits hugely: Kapamilya content will likely dominate ratings, giving ALLTV a competitive edge against GMA and TV5.

What’s Next?

Starting January 2, Filipinos can once again:

Watch TV Patrol on free TV.
Enjoy primetime teleseryes like Batang Quiapo and Pamilya Ko on Channel 2.
Access emergency broadcasts during typhoons and disasters—critical for underserved communities.

But challenges remain: